Gems of Wisdom From the BibleIsampula

Do not throw your pearls before pigs

As a kind of refrain, the book of Proverbs tells us: “My son, be attentive to my wisdom”. “Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight”. Listening to wisdom and instruction is always a good idea. But sharing wisdom, reproving, and giving instruction are not always good ideas. We should not ‘throw our pearls before pigs’. Some people are not at all interested in what others have to say and certainly are not ready to be told what to do. Then it’s no use going on about it. It could even make things worse.

This even applies to sharing the Gospel. As Jesus makes clear in Matthew 7, Christians should be forgiving and merciful, and not judge others too quickly. But at the same time, they need wisdom to distinguish people’s intentions. If somebody persistently rejects the Gospel, it’s better to give up (for some time) and turn to someone else who might be open to it.

Do you know people who always reject reproof or people who are open to instruction and teaching? What is your own attitude towards correction?